"You have to eat, sir, it's already five p.m. You skipped breakfast and lunch today, you're going to pass out," Jack murmured behind me, as we left the Stavrakos building, on my way home.

"Mind your own business, Jack. I don't need you lecturing me about food or proper nutrition right now, it's not the best time of the year," I snapped at him, then went inside the back of my Rolls-Royce Sweptail.

I settled at the back, alone, and closed the electrochromic glass window between me, and Jack and the driver in front. I switched a button and turned the smart glass windows to dark.

I sank on my seat, and closed my eyes. It was the time of the year again, when I wanted to die.

The petrol was leaking, I could still smell its foul odour until now.

"Save yourself, Kristov..." Mom said between tears, as her hand held mine.

"No, mom. I can't leave you and Anton behind," I tried to pull her out of the car again, but she cried out of the pain. Her feet were stuck under the front seat.

"I can't move them," she groaned, "go, call 911."

Panicked, I took my phone with clumsy fingers and pressed the numbers. I reported the incident, then turned my attention to my brother who was trapped in the driver's seat.

"Anton! Wake up! This car is going to blow!"

But Anton already passed out. Either he passed out because of the accident, or he fell asleep while driving.

He had been out with his university friends, and volunteered to fetch me and mom from the Art Painting event that we attended, when he learned that I won the competition. First Prize.

It was a happy snowy night for us, we were very ecstatic, until Anton lost his grip from the steering wheel, and the car hit the rails.

I was glad when the rescuers arrived, I felt so relieved. I thought that was it, we all survived. 

An officer dragged me away from the car, when all of a sudden, I heard an explosion.

I turned around abruptly, shocked to see the car on fire.

"NOooooo!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs trying to run to the burning car but the rescuers stopped me, holding me tightly.

I saw vividly, my mom on fire. She was screaming, crying and calling me for help. 

Then she stopped, and just stared at me. I could see the hopelessness on her face, until she mouthed the words 'I love you, Kristov," and she was swallowed by the flame.

I had a fifteen minutes break in the afternoon, so I decided to call my parents.

"Your dad is out fishing again. He's been doing it for the last three days already with some locals in the area," Mom said, then talked non stop about the latest gossip in Hollywood. She just loved to gossip about anything, it was her favorite pastime.

When I did not reply, doubting if I was still on the phone, she asked about my job.

"Doing great so far. We just started the research, so we're still gathering some data."

"Are you enjoying your job?"

"Yeah, um... yesterday, I got to swim in the giant pool," I pressed my lips together, recalling the incident.

"Wow! Good for you. You always love to swim," she sounded so ecstatic, "so, it's like a vacation for you too, with all the buffet meals everyday. I'm so happy for you, Pia."

"Thanks, Mom," I forced a short laugh, then asked, "by the way, I want to ask you something."

"About what?"

"Remember that incident when we went to the Stavrakos mansion. I was thirteen at that time, and dad was so upset when I wandered around and found me asleep in the garden. He's never been so upset with me in my entire life."

"Oh, that. Well, your dad had a reason to be so upset, he warned you beforehand to behave," Mom sighed, "Pablo Stavrakos just lost his wife and eldest son at that time, I think it was just a month."

"My goodness, that must be very traumatic for him."

"It was. He lost them in a car accident," mom started talking, giving me the information that I needed, "the youngest son, Kristov, was the only one who survived."

"What happened?"

"From what I remember, they attended an art painting event. Anton, the eldest son, was driving, and lost control of the car. They crashed at the railings. It was found out from the autopsy result that he was drunk driving at that time."

"That's terrible!"

I was shocked knowing how the Stavrakos lost their loved ones. It must be so hard, especially for Kristov Stavrakos, who was there in the accident. My heart instantly bled for him.

"Anton was very brilliant, he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a business degree at Harvard University at that time. He just started running the Stavrakos businesses and that happened. From what I heard, he was Mr. Stavrakos' favorite son."

"What about the other son?"

"Ah... Kristov, the delinquent, bad boy, evil one," Mom chuckled, "I don't really know if he went to university, he hated school too much. They say he was really a pain in the ass."

"Really?" The revelation made my eyebrows rise.

"Yeah," Mom paused, then said almost in a whisper, "Shh... At fifteen, he started taking drugs, and went to rehab for six months. At sixteen, he brought different girls into their mansion, then had a rave party, inviting all the wild crazy people in their neighborhood. At seventeen, he almost burned their house down. He did anything to spite his father," she paused, "don't tell anyone okay, it's their family secret."

The information knocked my brain off. He was that savage?

"But he's running their businesses now."

"Of course," she agreed, "I guess the accident changed him. He's totally a different man now, so workaholic. He's the one responsible for making the company grow ten folds. He ventures into different areas of the business, involving modern technology. His new project aims to change the future."

"That's very impressive," and refreshing.

Suddenly, I had ambivalent feelings towards him. Knowing about his traumatic experience, and his effort in doing something great for the world, made my heart soften for him.

"Absolutely. He's extremely brilliant, a genius. He doesn't need to go to university," then she paused, "and very attractive too, I would say. Forbes labeled him as the most sought after bachelor in the entire planet. Many women are dying to marry him."

"I'm sure his future wife will have plenty of competition."

"Exactly. He's a worldly guy, too rich and exposed. That's why I don't want you to hang out with men like him. He's out of your league. His world moves differently from ours."

"As if a billionaire would notice me," I chuckled.

"We can never tell. You're a pretty smart woman, Pia, any guy would fall in love with you easily. But let me remind you, that we want you to marry a simple guy, just like your father. The simpler your life, the happier you'll be."

"Of course. You know that's what I want also."

Our phone call ended, and I went back to work. I checked on the gardeners, and helped them pick fruits and vegetables.

Late afternoon, I went back to the mansion, and saw Charry at the servants' entrance, eating again.

"The master just arrived," she informed me.

My heart throbbed crazily. Knowing that he was in the mansion made my pulses race.

"You want some?" she asked, munching, when I did not answer.

"What do you have in there?"

"I have fries, butter cookies, and calamari. Pick your choice," she offered.

I shook my head, "no thanks. I'm craving chocolate."

"I have M&M here," she dug a small pocket from her apron, and showed me the colorful chocolates.

"I mean... I want a fondue chocolate. But thanks anyway, I have to go, Charry."

___

I went directly to the kitchen and saw Jean, Tess and Sammy staring at the delicious platter of beef steak in front of them.

"What's going on?"

Jean turned to me, looking very sad, "the master doesn't want the steak anymore. He just wanted coffee for dinner."

"But you spent a whole day making it so tender and delicious. To be the best steak that he would ever taste in the whole world."

"Right. I even went to the city this morning, to buy a seasoning from an Asian store," Sammy's dropped himself on a stool, and put a hand under his chin.

"I helped Jean watch it for three hours, making sure that it won't get burned," Tess rolled her eyes, raising her hands up briefly, then put on her hips.

"It's okay. We can't force him if he's not hungry. It's our job to serve him with good food," Jean shrugged her shoulders, "if he's not in the mood to eat, then there's nothing we can do about it."

"But Jack told me that the master did not eat anything today. He just had coffee for breakfast and lunch, and now another coffee for dinner," Tess informed us.

"Seriously?" I was surprised.

"Maybe he's on a diet," Sammy chuckled.

"Why would he? He's not fat," Tess frowned, "it's the time of the year again. You know, the accident."

Jean's eyes grew big, "Oh yeah, I remember. It's this time, right? Thanks for reminding me Tess."

"What are you talking about?"

Jean explained to me about the accident that happened nine years ago, and I listened eagerly. The same story that Mom relayed to me earlier.

"Every anniversary of the accident, he becomes sadder and more lifeless, like a walking ghost. He's not over yet of the trauma of seeing his mother and brother die slowly in a fire. Everyday, he tortures himself with work and lots of work. I guess, he wished that he was the one who died," Tess continued Jean's story.

"My thoughts, exactly," Jean nodded.

"That is so heartbreaking," my chest felt so heavy thinking of his horrible experience.

"I would feel the same if I were in his place," Sammy butted it. "but that made him so rich and successful. I mean, that work is his diversion."

"You're right. So, are we going to let him starve and eat this beef steak?" Tess asked, "I can't wait to dig in."

"Me too," Sammy smiled wickedly, eyeing the steak greedily.

"NO," I stopped them, "I'll make him eat."

"He won't, dear," Jean reminded me "you'll just make him so angry."

"There's no harm in trying," I twisted my lips, "I'm sure, once he sees the steak, and smells the delicious aroma, his appetite will stimulate, and get so hungry."

"Good-luck, girl," Sammy said, looking disappointed, "but if he won't, we're here waiting for the steak."

"Come on, help me guys. Get me a food trolley."

If he did not eat the whole day, he must be really starving.

I made a platter of grilled cheese sandwiches. It would match well with the beef steak. Another platter, vegetable salad with mango, walnuts, cherry tomatoes, carrots and cucumber. A tall glass of orange juice and a cup of coffee, so he would have a choice of drinks. 

Perfect! I'm sure, he can't resist these.

******

Hey Dreamers!

How's everyone? Hope you have a great day.

Did you enjoy the update? What's your favorite part?

More exciting scenes coming up, now that we know the back story of Kristov, and Pia understands him better. 

We're now almost 100K, yay!!! 

Thank you so much everyone. Let's continue in this journey together, please help me reach 200K, by sharing this story to your friends.

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See you all on Saturday, please be here. I love you all!

Lovelots,

Neilani